Regional Partnering Manager - Fixed term contract, Maternity cover

In this role you will be responsible for driving the people strategy and initiatives for Bulgaria and Greece. You will work closely with the local senior leadership teams to identify and execute on key initiatives that support the growth and success of the business in both of these locations.

Reporting into the VP of People Partnering, you will be commercially minded, collaborative in your approach, and able to lead on key practical people initiatives such as future workforce, capability and succession planning, diversity, equity and inclusion, talent management and culture or listening and engagement to name a few.

As the Regional People Partnering Manager for Bulgaria and Greece, you will be responsible for providing strategic People leadership and support to our Ocado offices across those two locations. You will collaborate closely with local employees, managers, and counterparts to ensure the implementation of effective People programs, policies, and practices that align with our company's goals, culture, and values.

The jobholder will manage one People Partner in Bulgaria, Sofia

In this job, I am accountable for:

• Turn business strategy into people initiatives. Creating and executing measurable plans that are aligned to the overarching people plan for the Ocado business in Bulgaria and Greece.

• Serve as the primary People Partnering leader for Engineering, Product, Operations and Group functions for Bulgaria and Greece, partnering closely with local and international People teams, managers, and employees.

• Support the creation of a client-focussed culture, whilst bridging silos and finding areas of opportunity and alignment where it makes sense and an independent mission approach where it doesn’t. Develop and coordinate the implementation of People strategies and initiatives that support business objectives and promote a positive work environment across the centres.

• Provide guidance and support to immediate People team and Senior managers on various People matters, including talent acquisition, performance management, employee relations, compensation, and benefits.

• Coordinate local People team to ensure compliance with local employment laws, regulations, and company policies across the business.

• Drive talent management initiatives, including workforce planning, succession planning, and talent development, to ensure a robust and skilled workforce.

• Work with the identified successors and key talent on development plans.

• Work with the Regional and Global People Team, Central Teams, Shared Service Centre and Global COEs to coordinate the implementation of consistent People practices, policies, and processes across the organisation while considering local cultural nuances and legal requirements.

• Analyse People data and metrics to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement, and make data-driven recommendations to enhance People practices and employee experience.

• Provide coaching and guidance to local managers on leadership development, employee engagement, and change management.

• Coordinate employee communications initiatives, including the dissemination of important information, policies, and updates across the business.

• Ensure the strategic/regional partnership is strong, set up for success and our teams work effectively together across the globe.

• Use initiative to research, network externally and present new ideas for continuous improvement.

• Support recruitment initiatives within your area by providing guidance and support to Talent Acquisition and Leadership teams

• Develop people strategies with senior management to address both immediate and long term objectives for the business area.

• Acts as a local Whistleblowing Officer

What skills, experience and qualifications are key to succeeding in this role?

• Proven knowledge and experience in HR partnering role preferably overseeing more than one EMEA location

• Strong people skills, ability to develop relationships with the management team as well as with the assigned employee group

• Problem solving and analytical skills, comfortable analysing information, identifying trends and advise on solutions

• Ability to influence others, with strong mediation, facilitation and negotiation skills

• Strong organisational skills, ability to handle complex employee relations cases

• Strong leadership skills and ability to influence leaders at different organisational level

• Strong knowledge of Bulgarian Labour Law. Knowledge of Greek Labour Law will be considered as an advantage

• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.

Business Competencies

• Strong relationship and people management skills

• Strong communicator (both written and verbal)

• Effective time management

• Strong organisational skills

• Commercially astute

• Possess tact, discretion and confidentiality

• Collaborative team player

What We Offer You:

• Hybrid office attendance policy that sees you onsite 60% of your time

• 30 days of “Work from anywhere” program

• 25 days of annual leave

• 150 EUR monthly allowance for wellbeing or flexible expenses

• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave policy

• Medical plan including health & dental coverage

• Life and disability insurance

• Employee assistance program

Equal Opportunities Ocado Group is an equal opportunities employer and as such makes every effort to ensure that all potential employees are treated fairly and equally, regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, age, or disability or union membership status.

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